March 26-27, 2026
The Blackwell Inn
Registration has closed for this event.
Research Day
Join researchers, clinicians, and trainees to share, discuss, and connect at CBIRD Research Day. This annual scientific symposium features invited and local speakers, poster presentations, and updates on programming and projects. We invite all Ohio State faculty, staff, and students to attend. Registration is free!
March 26-27, 2026
Thank you, Sponsors!
Blackwell Inn Ballroom
2110 Tuttle Park Pl STE #43, Columbus, OH 43210 (map)
Parking
The Blackwell offers valet services - day use is $20.
Self parking options include the Lane Avenue Garage that allows both visitor and garage permit access. There is also a surface lot across the street with paid and A, B, and C permit spots.
See more transportation information on the Blackwell's page here.
March 26th - Blackwell Inn, Main Ballroom
1:30pm - Check-In Opens
2:00-3:00pm - Trainee Talks
Location: Pfahl Hall, Room 140
3:15-6:00pm - Poster Presentations & Reception
- Session A: 3:15-4:15pm
- Session B: 4:45 - 5:45pm
6:00-8:00pm - CBI Trainee Society (CBITS) Social
Location: Varsity Club, Lower Level
March 27th - Blackwell Inn, Main Ballroom
8:30am - Registration & Breakfast
9:00am - Welcome Remarks
9:30am - Survivor Story with Amber Poindexter and family
10:00am - Jonathan Calvert, PhD | “Toward Precision Neurorehabilitation for Human Sensorimotor Recovery”
10:45am - Break & Vendors
11:15am - Jonathan Lifshitz, PhD | “Watching the Brain Heal: Time-Lapse Pathodynamics and the Promise of Psychedelic Medicine”
12:00pm - Networking Lunch & Vendors
1:00pm - Keynote: Mark Tuszynski, MD, PhD | “A Translational Program of Neural Stem Cells for Spinal Cord Injury”
2:00pm – Break & Vendors
2:15pm - Jill Daugherty, PhD | “The Unfinished Public Health Story of Brain Injury"
3:15pm - Awards and Closing
Keynote Speaker
Mark Tuszynski, MD, PhD
Distinguished Professor of Neurosciences
Director, Translational Science Institute
University of California, San Diego
Spotlight Speakers
Jonathan Calvert, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery
University of California, Davis
Jill Daugherty, PhD
Director, Innovation Center
National Association of State Head Injury Administrators
Jonathan Lifshitz, PhD
Associate Director of Education & Engagement
University of Michigan Concussion Center
Survivor Story
Amber Poindexter
A 45-year-old senior operations analyst for the university’s Board of Trustees, Amber suffered a stroke on Game Day, Sept. 10, 2022. She was later diagnosed with aphasia, a language disorder caused by brain damage resulting from a stroke, brain injury, or disease. Amber participates in brain injury programs at Ohio State including OSU Brain CARE, the Aphasia Initiative, and NeuroNights.
Guidelines
Abstract submissions are due February 1, 2026 at 11:59PM ET.
Abstracts: Abstracts must include a maximum 400-word narrative in 11-point Arial font with no figures or images, plus a header with 3 lines: a) your full abstract title (first letters capitalized); b) all authors with your (presenter's) name in bold; and c) list of department/unit affiliations. Please submit your abstract as a .docx file with filename as follows: LASTNAME.FIRSTNAME.MENTORLASTNAME.docx
Posters: Posters will be mounted on foam boards, sized 4ft x 4ft. We suggest poster sizes of 30 in. x 40 in. or 36 in. x 48 in. (landscape orientation).
Research Day Faculty Committee
- Jonathan Godbout, PhD | Professor, Neuroscience; Faculty Director, Center for Brain Injury Recovery & Discovery | Professional Website
- Andrew Sas, MD, PhD | Physician & Assistant Professor, Neurology | Professional Website
- Ceren Yarar-Fisher, PhD | Associate Professor & Vice Chair of Research, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; Director of Clinical Research, Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury | Professional Website
- Phillip Yuhas, OD, PhD | Optometrist & Assistant Professor, Optometry | Professional Website